Here’s something I’ve been doing in my class the last semester as I’ve shifted my assignments to writing reading notes on paper.

This method is meant to help you focus more on the reading rather than taking tedious notes, to keep the process simple enough that notes can be handwritten in a notebook, and point you towards more participation in class based on what was most important to you from the reading.

Steps

  • Read the assigned reading
  • Take notes using the 3-2-1 Method
  • Write the name of the article, author and date at the top of the page
  • Name 3 key takeaways for you from the reading - these can relate to your big questions, they can be something you want to discuss and bring up while in class, or in some way stand out to you as important for your own learning.
  • Write 2 quotes - quotes should focus on something that you really resonate with or something you want to question or challenge. The quote evokes in you a response. Be prepared to share the quote with the class and speak to why it evokes what it does for you.
  • Write 1 question you’d like to ask the class based on the reading. There will be opportunities to ask the class your question - it could be open-ended, it could be something more informational. What does this reading make you curious about?
  • Optional: If you’d like - add some pictures, highlights, or other visual flourishes to emphasize the key notes or images the reading brings up for you.

Bring your notebook to class and be prepared to discuss the reading